Competition Time!

"Gather here, weary traveller! Put your hairy feet up on a stool by the fire and sink into that armchair. You look a bit drained. You've been on the old East Road, eh? Here, have some cake and tea.

"That Hobbit lass yonder has a weekly quiz starting in moment or two. Why not join in? Oh, I don't know what it's about. Some kind of fantasy novel or the like. I never do too well on 'em. Seems a bit fanciful, if you follow!"

To enter this competition you will need the Hobbit and all three books of Lord of the Rings. A wider knowledge of the books is recommended. The winner is the person to comment below on this article with the highest total of correct answers to each question. Good luck!

PS: One of these questions has an incorrect answer on the Internet, and I will see if you used that answer instead of the one in the books. If you use that answer you will be sent to clean Smaug's teeth (and disqualified).

Questions so easy any son of a Took could work it out! Worth 1 point.
1) In the Hobbit, what is the answer to Gollum's riddle?

What has roots as nobody sees,
Is taller than trees,
Up, up it goes,
And yet never grows?

2) And this riddle?

A box without hinges, key, or lid,
Yet golden treasure inside is hid.

3) What is the name of the Pony that is left behind before the Fellowship travel into Moria?

These questions are worth 2 points.
4) Who is being described in The Fellowship of the Ring?

"He was an honest man, and well-off as things were reckoned in Bree".

5) How many years were there between Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White from his point of view?

6) Who ended up looking after some of Bill Ferny's missing ponies?

These questions are worth 3 points.
7) "Damn the boy!" Who was Tolkien referring to when he said this?

8) Where did Tolkien get the name "Fili" from?

9) Why do Stoor Hobbits wear shoes?

This one is truly difficult. This is worth 4 points.
10) In the HarperCollinsPublisher's 2011 edition of The Hobbit, which page begins with a non-capitalised letter that should be capitalised?

The Hobbit lass has finished her quiz, takes out a bottle of whiskey, uncorks, downs the lot, and releases a small burp; much to the delight of the fellow quiz-goers.

"See yer all next week fer the *hic* quiz!"